Madrid to Host Homeless World Cup Event and NEW Spanish Member country introduced
| Romania celebrate at the Homeless World Cup in Cardiff. Image: Romain Kedochim
Homeless World Cup to hold first event in Spain
First international event since before the pandemic
Local football club, Dragones de Lavapiés join Homeless World Cup global network
The Homeless World Cup is delighted to announce that a special two-day Street Football tournament will be held in the city of Fuenlabrada, Madrid this month (Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November 2022), the first time a Homeless World Cup event has been held in Spain.
Matches will feature teams comprising of male and female players from seven European Homeless World Cup Member Countries, including a debut from a new Spanish Homeless World Cup Member Country and a team from the Ukraine.
Bosnia & Herzegovina, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania, two teams from Spain and Ukraine will be competing on a unique outdoor pitch located at Plaza de la Constitución, on the doorstep of Fuenlabrada City Hall.
The Homeless World Cup is thrilled to announce Dragones de Lavapiés as our new Partner in Spain, joining 70+ Homeless World Cup Member Countries across the globe.
Dragones de Lavapiés is a community-based football club formed in 2014. Their mission is to weave bonds of solidarity, respect and community, fostering dialogue and celebrating diversity through sport and competition.
Also, alongside the introduction of Dragones de Lavapiés, it’s a great honour to be welcoming a team from our Ukrainian Member County: The Odessa Charity Foundation ‘The Way Home’.
After three postponed annual tournaments because of the pandemic, the Homeless World Cup introduced the Four Nations Challenge Cup last year (September 2021) and has followed up the success of that tournament with this event in Fuenlabrada. Another step in the right direction ahead of the annual tournament returning in 2023.
Teams will compete in a round-robin tournament on the Saturday ahead of a Finals Day on the Sunday. The weekend will also feature an Opening Ceremony on Saturday morning, trophy presentations on Sunday afternoon and entertainment across both days in-between matches.
Mel Young, President and Co-Founder of the Homeless World Cup Foundation, said:
“The Homeless World Cup is excited to be delivering this unique tournament for seven of our Member Countries in Europe. The event will use the same pitch layout and rules that we use in our annual tournament and will allow players, the chance to be back out on the pitch again playing competitive football and representing their country.
“Since 2003 we have proved that using the power of football can change lives and though our partnerships across the world we want to include and support as many people as possible. It’s great to see our new Spanish Member Country announced today and joining us over the two days of competition and we are honoured to be hosting a team from the Ukraine.
“We wanted to take the opportunity to create something for the players involved and we couldn’t think of a better location in Spain’s capital and the fantastic city of Fuenlabrada for this showcase event to take place.”
Agustín Domínguez, The Councillor for Sport at Fuenlabrada City Council, expressed his delight with the involvement of Fuenlabrada City Council in this event:
"This event and football tournament is key to highlight and to give visibility to homelessness all over the world by providing a second opportunity to people in need through sport. Helping them to regain a sense of belonging thanks to becoming part of the Homeless World Cup's global program".
"It is also a great pride for the City of Fuenlabrada to be able to host one of the first events after the COVID-19 pandemic by becoming a Homeless World Cup Foundation's city partner to host the event, such as previous Homeless World Cup hosts Cape Town, Edinburgh, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile. etc".
Notes to Editors:
For further information on the Homeless World Cup, please contact:
matthew@homelessworldcup.org / 07789 722 561